LONDON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday it was vital for London to hold further powerful sanctions in reserve to impose on Russia if it pursues further action in Ukraine.
"It is absolutely vital that we hold in reserve further powerful sanctions ... in view of what President (Vladimir) Putin may do next," Johnson told parliament.
"We want to stop Russian companies from being able to raise funds in sterling or indeed in dollars ... We want them to stop raising funds on UK markets and we want to strip away the veil that conceals the ownership of property in this country."
In addition, the British prime minister said Russia should not be allowed to host soccer events such as the Champions League final after the Russian president recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
Asked about the Champions League final, which is scheduled to take place in St Petersburg in May, Johnson told lawmakers: "I think it inconceivable that major international football tournaments can take place in Russia after... the invasion of a sovereign country."
Meanwhile in Lviv, Ukraine, a top ranking United States diplomat, Kristina Kvien, said on Tuesday that the Russisan president's actions threatened the global order and were based on "delusional" statements.
"We all heard the speech President Putin delivered yesterday. His outrageous statements about Ukraine and the Ukrainian people were delusional, reflecting a warped vision reminiscent, not of a global leader, but of Europe's worst authoritarians," Kvien said.
